Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

6th Field Company, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On 6 June 1944 at approximately 1700 hours Corporal Chapman with one-half section of No.2 Platoon was advancing with "B" Company, Regina Rifles. South of the village of Reviers, No.10 Platoon leading was engaged by light machine gun fire and pinned to the ground. Heavy mortar fire from the opposite hill followed, and Corporal Chapman from his position at Platoon Headquarters perceived that mortar bombs had caused casualties in his section. Disregarding the danger from shrapnel, he at once moved back over very open ground to where his men were lying and with great coolness rallied them, and withdrew those not wounded to a place of safety.
On another occasion he went forward with his Platoon Officer to Norrey-en-Bassin with two 3-ton lorries loaded with anti-tank mines. While his Platoon Officer and the Company Commander were making a reconnaissance of the minefield site, the enemy started to mortar the village. With bombs falling very near to the vehicle, this Non-Commissioned Officer located the drivers, turned the trucks around and sent them to a place of safety. Almost immediately after, a bomb struck the house beside which the trucks had been parked, wounding Corporal Chapman.
By his quick assessment of the situation and his prompt action he undoubtedly saved the anti-tank mines from destruction as well as the many casualties that would have occurred had the mines been detonated. This Non-Commissioned Officer on both occasions displayed great initiative, leadership and coolness under fire, and has by these qualities prevented many casualties.